Nine runners are set to support Leicester Hospitals Charity this weekend, by taking part in the London Marathon.
The runners, will be among thousands taking part in the event this Sunday, October 2, each with their own reason for taking part. For those supporting Leicester Hospitals Charity, it is their way of giving back to Leicester’s Hospitals.
Alice Billson, Ben Hardy, Chris Packwood, Erol Gaillard, Henry Povos, Joe Hockenhull, Mark Pothecary, Olivia Pugh and Tom Dicicco, have been training intensely to take part in this year’s marathon.
All nine supporters will run the scenic 26.2-mile route around London to help raise money for the areas of Leicester’s Hospitals that have impacted their or a family member’s life.
Tom Dicicco an avid runner was keen to take on his biggest challenge – the London Marathon. When the opportunity came to run for Leicester Hospitals Charity, Tom said: “I couldn’t think of a better cause.”
Tom’s son Lorenzo was born in January 2019 at Leicester General Hospital, at only one day old Lorenzo had an undiagnosed diaphragmatic hernia, he was critically ill and required urgent specialist treatment.
Lorenzo was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) to get a life-saving operation. Not knowing if he would even survive the ambulance journey there, Tom and his wife waited anxiously by their baby son’s incubator.
Tom remembers what he was thinking at the time: “Sitting by Lorenzo’s incubator I vowed to give something back to the hospital when the time was right.”
So this year Tom is completing the marathon to give thanks to all the wonderful staff who supported him and his wife, he continued to say: “If it wasn’t for the incredible staff at LRI, working day and night to save our little boy, he wouldn’t be with us today. He is now a thriving happy three-year-old.”
So far all nine runners have raised an amazing £15,000 for Leicester’s Hospitals.
Anyone who would like to run the London Marathon next year for Leicester Hospitals Charity, should call the team on 0116 2258 8709 or email: LHCharity@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.
